As they prepare to release their first studio album in 18 years, Hackney Diamonds, Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood spoke to NME on the “explosive” new songs, his final meeting with late drummer Charlie Watts and who will play whom in the band’s biopic. Watch the full video interview above.
Wood, along with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, announced the formation of Hackney Diamonds during a press conference at the Hackney Empire in London last month. The lead single “Angry” was also unveiled, as well as a video for which Euphoria actress Sydney Sweeney drives around West Hollywood in a vintage open-top Ford Mustang. The full album consists of 12 tracks (all co-written by Jagger and Richards, except for a cover of the Muddy Waters blues standard “Rollin’ Stone”) and will be released on October 20 via Polydor.
For the new project, the Stones attracted many famous musicians – Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder, who participated in the gospel epic “Sweet Sounds Of Heaven”, Paul McCartney, who plays bass in the punk rocker “Bite My Head Off”, and the original bassist Bill Wyman (who left in 1993) took part in the dynamic jam “Live By The Sword”. Elton John can also be heard on piano during the ballads “Get Close” and “Live By The Sword”.
Watts, who joined the group in 1963 as they covered R&B classics in London clubs, died in 2021 after a short illness. He played drums on two tracks, “Mess It Up” and “Live by the Sword”, which were being worked on before his death. Steve Jordan, chosen by Watts as his successor, appears on the remainder of the album.
Speaking about the difference between the two drummers, Wood said: “The best way I can describe it is that Charlie was a firecracker with lots of explosions, and Steve Jordan is like a bomb going off. We needed that extra push (to finish the album).”
NME: Hi Ronnie. This is the first album since the death of Charlie Watts – was his presence felt in the studio?
Woods: “Oh yes, all the time. I was the last person to see Charlie in hospital in London before he died. He said, “I want to get out of this damn place, but before I do, can you make sure Steve Jordan is carrying the flag for me?” And I said, “Don’t worry about it. We’ve got your back. Then he said, “Okay. Now leave so I can watch (Italian jockey) Frankie Dettori on TV!” Charlie loved horse racing, didn’t he?
Charlie and Bill Wyman’s Live By The Sword reunites the original Stones rhythm section…
“It was (producer) Andrew Watt’s idea. We had a track with Charlie drums. None of us were around when Bill actually did his thing. But Andrew said he had a lot of fun with him. He closed the studio for him.”
What was it like playing with Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder on Sweet Sounds Of Heaven?
“She just sat on the floor and sang along to Mick. Rough vocals, you know. And Mick said, “Sounds pretty good. Do you want to succeed? She said, “Yes.” – Well, then come on – get up, let’s go and figure it out together! It’s been really rewarding to see it all take shape.”
What about Paul McCartney’s participation in “Bite My Head Off”?
“Schoolboy! He was so happy. He actually played on two tracks, one of which we kept hidden, you know, because we recorded about 23 songs and only chose the first 12.”
So maybe it won’t be another 18 years until the next album?
“I don’t think it will last that long.”
What did the rest of the tracks sound like?
“Well, Stones tracks evolve, but they either already have the essence when we first hit the song or they don’t. Some songs sounded a little unsure. We need to look at them again. That’s how good music is made – sculpting it like a clay model. You know, a car made of stone, like Michelangelo’s.”
How many new songs are you going to play live?
“This is next. Next week we’ll see how they translate live. I have complete faith. We could play the whole album, you know what I mean? But (Mick and Keith) will say, “Oh no, Ron, that’s so ambitious.” We won’t forget the back directory. There are certain songs, “Paint It, Black” and “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” that definitely need to be played. We’re only making room for, say, three or five songs.”
What about Glastonbury, could you make the headlines again?
“I would love it. I think this is a must. If not next year, then… If not the Stones, then the Faces. It’ll be me, Rod (Stewart) and (drummer) Kenny (Jones). You know, this is not excluded. I know they want to do this…”
How are Mick and Keith getting along now?
“I think they are friendlier now than ever. And it’s wonderful to see that all my bloody efforts have paid off!”
You were actually a nanny for the Rolling Stones, weren’t you?
“In the ’80s and ’90s, when everything was about to collapse, I said, ‘No, I’m not going to let this institution fail.’ You guys are going to get together, talk and figure this out.” And they did, and it continues to this day. They still fight and everything. But it’s done with love, you know, creatively.”
Is there a Rolling Stones biopic on the horizon?
“The iron has been on fire for many years. (There were) different approaches to this. You know, I always leave it to the original participants. I’m not going to interfere. I let Keith and Mick talk about it.”
Fans are speculating that Harry Styles would make a good Mick…
“Oh, I thought he was going to play with me! Harry is my friend! I suppose he has that fire, but I don’t think anyone has the chutzpah that Mick used to have – and still has. I mean it has more credibility than Harrods.”
Are there any young bands that you think are carrying the rock and roll torch?
“I haven’t seen many live bands for a long time. A lot of people have told me about The 1975. I know Arctic Monkeys play a lot. They’re always at Glastonbury. There’s a lot of music to be found here and I just hope more people play live like we do.”
“Hackney Diamonds” will be released on October 20 via Polydor.